UH Softball Falls In Season Opener To BYU

(Hawaii Athletics) - The University of Hawai'i softball team fell in its season opener on the road to BYU, 10-1 in five innings on Thursday night at Eller Media Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. It marked the first time the 'Bows lost their season opener since 2010. Starting pitcher, Brittany Hitchcock threw three complete innings and suffered the loss.

The Cougars started with a bang with leadoff batter Rylee Jensen reaching on a single to center followed by a home run by Briielle Breland to centerfield to take an early 2-0 lead.

BYU then launched back-to-back homers to start the second by Bridget Fleener and Allie Hancock to extend their lead to 4-0.

In the third, BYU erupted for three runs to increase their lead to 7-0. Jensen drove a two-run double to the left-centerfield gap and Breland picked up her third RBI of the game with a single to centerfield.

The Cougars added three more runs in the fifth inning to go up 10-0. Alexa Strid, Caitlyn Alldredge and Bridget Fleener all came through with RBI-singles.

Hawai'i was able to post one run on the board in the bottom of the fifth. The 'Bows loaded the bases with a Jordian Hicks starting things with a one out single to third. Danielle Garcielita was then hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Britnee Rossi then reached on an error at third to load the bases and Nicole Lopez hit into a fielder's choice that allowed Hicks to score from third.

Hitchcock threw the first three innings allowing seven runs on nine hits with four walks and a strikeout. Dana Thompsen threw two innings in relief allowing three runs on four hits with a walk and three strikeouts.

BYU's Aris Paulson earned the win to improve to 2-1. She tossed a complete game to earn the W, giving up one run on three hits with a pair of walks and six strikeouts.

The last time UH lost its season opener was in 2010 in Honolulu against McNeese State, 2-1 on Feb. 11, 2010.

Hawai'i continues play in the Marucci Desert Classic on Friday as they play a doubleheader at the Stephanie Lynn Craig Softball Complex in Henderson, Nev. UH will first take on SeattleU at 1:45 pm HT followed by New Mexico at 4:00 pm HT. Both games will be played on Field 1 at the SLC Complex.